But we, like many other Americans, had never been to a Wegmans, so on a recent trip to Charlottesville, North Carolina, we knew we had to visit one.

Here's what it was like:

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What it's like to shop at Wegmans

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What it's like to shop at Wegmans

Driving up to the Wegmans in Charlottesville, North Carolina, it was immediately clear that this wouldn't be a normal shopping trip.

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The impressive attributes of the store shouldn't have come as a surprise. Wegmans was voted the best grocery chain in the US in 2017, based on Market Force Information's annual survey of the industry.

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It was when we walked into the store, however, that we realized Wegmans isn't just large — it's a behemoth.

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According to the company, locations stock up to 70,000 products. That's a ton, compared to the slightly more than 40,000 products that the average supermarket stocks, according to the Food Marketing Institute.

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Unlike Trader Joe's, which keeps prices low with minimalist locations and almost exclusively selling in-house brands, Wegmans is all about variety.

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Wegmans features spacious aisles full of everything from paper goods to champagne.

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The stores sell both Wegmans' brands — which tend to be less expensive — and pricier options.

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While it's not as budget-focused as chains like Trader Joe's or Kroger, Wegmans isn't completely devoid of deals.

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Comparing prices between Wegmans and a nearby Kroger revealed that eggs and tomatoes were evenly priced, and bananas were actually cheaper at Wegman's, where they cost 49 cents a pound, compared to 59 cents a pound at Kroger.

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Family-sized packaging also helps cut down on costs.

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Wegmans' wine store highlights the company's dedication to variety, providing options for both the discerning drinker and the budget-minded boozehound.

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The Charlottesville Wegmans sells everything from a $42.99 bottle of Veuve Clicquot to a selection of wines for just $6.

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The grocer makes an effort to highlight local brands, including beer from Goochland, Virginia's Lickinghole Creek brewery to wine from the nearby Trump Vineyard.

The store even has a "pub," complete with happy hour specials, perfect for thirsty shoppers.

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The experience of grocery shopping is increasingly crucial for companies, as ecommerce makes shopping more convenient and chains like Whole Foods add in-store bonuses like restaurants and bars.

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However, few grocery chains have successfully made shopping as enjoyable — even aspirational — as Wegmans has. After visiting a store, we understand what these cultish customers see in the brand — and are ready to go back for more.